As a courtesy to our SHPOA Members, we’re bringing you a summary of each Stone Harbor Work Session and Council Meeting. Intended as summaries, these intentionally don’t have a lot of details and are not a substitute for the official Borough minutes.
Work Session
REAL Update
Regarding the state’s Resilient Environments and Landscapes proposal for building requirements in coastal towns and other areas at risk to flooding, Administrator Manny Parada said public comment was still open on the state’s website, even though the public hearings are completed. Council voted to approve Parada’s written comments to be sent to the State as a response from the Borough. For more information, please visit the state’s website: https://dep.nj.gov/njreal/

Bonds Refinanced
CFO Cynthia Lindsay reported that the bond sale has been completed. This bond sale will reduce the current interest rate on existing general obligation and water/sewer bonds and save the borough $1.9 million as a result of the reduced interest rate. The amount being refinanced is about $28 million.

Trash
Winter trash service has begun so if you are not a full-time resident, you will need to call the Public Works office or use the request button on the website (stoneharbornj.org) to request trash pickup at your house.
 
Beaches
The Point Road is still closed due to continuing erosion and very high tides. Beaches are being raked only when necessary. Concession stands have been removed and are stored at the 95th Street parking lot.
 
Disaster Planning
Council asked if the Borough had a disaster response plan, noting the events from Hurricane Helene down south. Parada assured Council that a plan is in place and revisited systematically to ensure the Borough’s ability to respond to varying degrees of weather disasters.

Water
Water main replacements will start in October on roads between 111 and 122 Streets and will continue until the end of winter. The Borough installed a third experimental valve along the Great Channel. It is trying to figure out how to diminish regular flooding on the street ends along the channel.

Regular Meeting
Storm Water Utility Study: Council approved an allocation of up to $375,000 for a study on the stormwater utility consideration, by a vote of 5-2, with members Robin Casper and Tim Carney voting no.  For legislation discussed at the meeting, please click: https://stoneharbornj.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/10.01.2024-Regular-Meeting-Agenda-and-Documents.pdf

For a video of the meeting, please click:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WdEnnUK5sQ